Heavy traffic at Delhi-Gurugram border
Security at Amritsar railway station
Platforms, tracks and entries being monitored at Amritsar railway station. Punjab Police is coordinating with RPF, GRP & Railways' Intelligence to see that no miscreant does anything and that passengers don't face any problem.
Security at Vijaywada Junction
Security has been deployed at Vijayawada Junction railway station. “We've also taken precautions at major railway stations throughout Vijaywada division. We are also deploying staff where the empty rakes/trains are placed at railway stations. We are taking regular info from Intelligence team," said BT Valleswara, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner.
Over 80 trains cancelled today
On June 20, more than 80 trains were cancelled due to protests in various parts of the country against the new Armed Forces recruitment programme. According to Northern Railways, a total of 18 East-bound train services scheduled from various Northern Railway terminals have been cancelled today. It further stated that 71 commuter trains headed for the Delhi area (including return services) have been cancelled for June 20.
Security tightened in Howrah, West Bengal
In light of the Bharat Bandh against the Agnipath Scheme, security forces have been deployed at Howrah Station, Howrah Bridge, Santragachi Junction, Shalimar railway station, and other areas in Howrah. Anupam Singh, DCP North - Howrah, says, "Police force has been deployed at multiple locations. We are ready to tackle any kind of situation that may arise. We also urge the youth to not get involved in any untoward activity".
Security beefed up in several states
On June 20, amid protests against the Centre's new Agnipath recruitment scheme, security was stepped up in various states. For the June 20 protest, police in various states have announced measures and increased security. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which outlaws gatherings of four or more people, has been applied in Delhi's neighbouring suburbs of Faridabad and Noida.
Special security arrangements in place at Ludhiana railway station
On the night of Sunday and Monday, a day after violence erupted at the Ludhiana railway station in protest against the Centre's Agnipath programme, Ludhiana Police took stock of the station. Ludhiana Commissioner of Police (CP) Kaustubh Sharma told ANI, "In view of the tensions prevailing in the state right after the announcement of the Agnipath scheme, we have made special arrangements at the station for Monday morning."
Mahindra Group to recruit Agniveers
“Saddened by the violence around the #Agneepath program. When the scheme was mooted last year I stated-& I repeat-the discipline & skills Agniveers gain will make them eminently employable. The Mahindra Group welcomes the opportunity to recruit such trained, capable young people," Anand Mahindra wrote on Twitter.
Secunderabad violence: Role of army coaching centres suspected
In connection with the violence at the Secunderabad Railway Station, 45 protestors were arrested. The Government Railway Police (GRP) told the media that the agitators had damaged railway property worth roughly ₹20 crore, and that it was all part of a "big conspiracy" orchestrated by army recruiting coaching centres.
491 train services affected amid protests
Due to continued agitation in various parts of the country against the new Armed Forces recruiting plan, a total of 491 train services have been impacted across the country, according to railway officials. 229 mail express trains and 254 passenger trains have been cancelled, with eight mail express trains partially cancelled.
Punjab on high alert
The Punjab Police has been ordered to remain on high alert in anticipation of a probable Bharat Bandh on June 20 against the newly established Agnipath Scheme for military recruitment, authorities said on Sunday. Instructions were also made to beef up security around all of Punjab's major military training schools.
Congress to hold nationwide protests today
Congress workers across the country will organise "peaceful" rallies against the "anti-youth" Agnipath plan and the federal government's "vendetta politics" against party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.
My statement on Agniveers distorted: Kailash Vijayvargiya
Kailash Vijayvargiya, the national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has claimed that the "toolkit gang" twisted his words on Agniveers. The BJP leader previously stated that Agnipath candidates would be given first consideration for security postings at his BJP office.
"I will give preference to an Agniveer to hire him as security in BJP office, even you can. One of my friends hired a 35-year-old retired army personnel as his security guard stating that he has faith in him. He is a soldier so I am not scared. This means a soldier is the name of self-confidence," Vijayvargiya earlier said.
CrPC Section 144 imposed in Noida
On June 19, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police reaffirmed that CrPC section 144 remained in effect in the district and urged residents to refrain from engaging in any activity that disrupted peace and order. In connection with the violent protest at the Jewar toll plaza on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on June 17, 225 persons have been arrested. CrPC Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibits gatherings of four or more people.
All schools in Jharkhand to remain closed
According to a state education official, all schools in Jharkhand would be closed on June 20 due to the Bharat Bandh organised by some organisations. Rajesh Sharma, Secretary of the Education Department, stated that the decision was made as a preventive measure.
"In the wake of the Bharat Bandh called by certain organisations, all schools in Jharkhand will remain closed tomorrow, June 20. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure," Sharma said.
(With agency inputs)
